The Mercury Brig^t. about 150 Tons belonging to John Green Esq^r & C^o of Poole, whereof John Pearce was late Master Sailed from Newfoundland the 25^th of August bound for Barcelona, with Three Thousand Two Hundred & Sixty two Quintals of Fish and on the 8^th of September, was taken by the Portsmouth Privateer of Portsmouth in New England, commanded by John Hart, and after taking captain Pearce & all his Crew out of the Mercury, they dispatched her for Bordeaux; where Captain Pearce arrived about Eleventh of October in the Privateer as will more fully appear by his Protest made at Bordeaux the 20^th of the same Month; and on their Arrival he was informed by Captain Hart, that the Mercury had been sailed Some days before for Bilboa and about a week after that Captain Hart told him she was amved at Bilboa where the Cargo was selling, and which was confirmed by the People belonging to the Privateer receiving Prize Money for the Mercury and also by Captain Simmonds's Affidavit herewith,¹ in which He mentions the Name of the Mercury wrote in her Stern had been erazed.—

Captain Pearce was at Bordeaux for about a Month, and during his Stay there, He saw the Privateer cleaned, & compleatly fitted for the Sea, and She sailed on a Cruise a Day or Two before he left Bourdeaux which was on or about the 12^th day of November last.—

The foregoing is a true State of Facts relating to the capture of my late Brig^t. Mercury.—

Witness my Hand

at Poo1e.—
or
at Mess^rs. Bingley & Pitt
Berchin Lane